About

Hi, I’m Alison Marae. Musically I blend original, uplifting lyrics with jazz inflected vocals and an acoustic ukulele.
I’ve been known to shimmy a tap dance percussion or drum rhythms on my ukulele during live performances. I also write and perform music for children and families. I’ve co-written three original children’s musicals with my partner, Wil Forbis. I have sung and danced my way around the world with performances in Paris, London, NYC, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and San Diego. As a choreographer and dancer, I’ve performed my own work as well as with contemporary dance companies, independent choreographers, in musicals and dance festivals.

My debut album, My Heart Can’t Take It was nominated for a San Diego Music Award in 2014. I produced the album and penned four of the six songs on the album. Several jazz standards are included on the album from the 1930’s. It features my vocals, ukulele and piano. Released on independent label, Dizzy with a Dame Records. The album is available for download on Itunes, Amazon and Spotify.

Teaching

It’s been my life’s purpose to encourage students to express their heart and soul. With innovative teaching practices, I’ve been guiding and nurturing students for two decades to feel empowered and happy through the expression of their body, mind and spirit. I have taught and created my my own programs in studios, public school arts outreach and as staff for professional dance and music studios throughout San Diego. I was the artistic director/choreographer for a non profit dance company for 9 years and also served as master teacher for it’s professional, pre-professional dance companies and classes. For the last 7 years, I’ve been teaching private ukulele and voice lessons along with group workshops. In addition to teaching music, I also teach ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary dance.